You can’t walk down a road without seeing a Ford Focus. In some streets there are more Focuses than houses – they’re everywhere.

Their ever presence on the British highway is testament to the success of its favourite family hatchback. Their value, looks and performance have enabled them to be the popular car we see today.

Having the unenviable task of replacing one of the world’s biggest selling cars, Ford radicalised their previous designs producing a car which turned heads at a sensible price.

The Focus first hit the family forecourt in 1998. Since its release as a three and five-door hatchback, it has been the biggest selling car in Britain every year.

Britain’s favourite family hatchback has spawned a number of different versions since its birth including a four-door model, estate and in 2003, the multi-activity C-MAX.

In 2002, Ford pumped the Focus with steroids creating the RS model. The more muscular looking Focus, with its 2-litre turbocharged 212 break horse power engine restored Ford’s prowess among performance-related hatchbacks.

After a nip and a tuck, Ford launched the mark two version of the big selling car in 2004. Just like its predecessor, the mark two continued to sell more than any other car in Britain.

The RS was a success but the latest Focus hot-hatch has the potential to annihilate its forefather. The ST produces a whopping 225bhp going from 0-62mph in a whiplash inducing 6.1 seconds.

For a hot-hatch, it looks more aggressive than the Golf GTi, and at a few quid under £20k it’s cheaper than its German rival.

The focus has shifted from just being a family hatchback to an environment saving machine. Their latest bio-ethanol flexi-fuel powered engine doesn’t just come from a renewable source but also reduces emissions.

After one million sales, the Focus is becoming an icon. It’s certainly filled the boots left by the Escort and continues to be Britain’s most popular car.